Some women feel a sense of relief after an abortion, while other women find it a painful and difficult experience to move past. Women come to the centre hoping to resolve feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression. If you or someone you know may be experiencing post abortion grief, please contact us.

Individual peer counseling and support groups are available.

All services are free and confidential

Post abortion stress

Everyone’s experience is different. While many women feel a sense of relief after an abortion, some women experience strong negative emotions. Some of these negative reactions may be immediate; and some occur many years after the abortion. Post abortion grief can be related to a woman’s age, length of pregnancy, previous mental health, religious or cultural beliefs, or whether she was pressured into an abortion.

Post Abortion Stress is described as the inability to:

Process the painful thoughts and emotions about a crisis pregnancy and subsequent abortion – guilt, anger and sorrow.

Identify the loss that has incurred.

Come to peace with self and others.

Symptoms of Post Abortion Stress may include:

Sadness

Feeling compelled to conceal an abortion

Experiencing prolonged depression

Psychological "numbing”

Experiencing disturbing thoughts about babies and abortion

Having lingering guilt and shame

Believing you are unworthy

Avoiding relationships or struggling with intimacy

Reacting physically and emotionally when abortion is mentioned

Anxiety over fertility or childbearing issues

Alcohol and drug abuse

Engaging in self-destructive behavior

Having thoughts of suicide

Women come to the centre hoping to resolve feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression. Women also inform us of secondary symptoms such as flashbacks of the abortion procedure, addictions, eating disorders, self harm, anniversary syndrome, spiritual disconnection, preoccupation with becoming pregnant again, and interruption of bonding with future children.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing post abortion stress, contact us. Individual peer counselling, and support groups are available.